When Can I Ask For Discharge During Pregnancy?
From the beginning of the sweet wait, expectant mothers who have a job outside the home wonder when to ask for leave during pregnancy. The most advisable thing is to request discharge two months before delivery, taking into account the typical discomforts of this condition.
However, currently pregnant women try to work until the last day; the aim is to take advantage of the sick months to spend as much time as possible caring for the newborn.
For the welfare of the mother and the future baby, the nature of the work performed by the pregnant woman must be considered. Although pregnancy is a normal stage and not a disabling disease, certain job demands can be detrimental to the process.
Some jobs involve prolonged standing or sitting, lifting, heavy pressure, or frequent body movements; These conditions are incompatible with an advanced pregnancy. Aside from the discomfort caused by general and targeted weight gain, mental or physical exertion can be detrimental to the gestational process.
In this sense, the Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics has developed a guide. In it, they recommend in which week to request the leave according to the physical activity of the work that the pregnant woman performs.
Recommendations when requesting discharge during pregnancy
The Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics provides the following criteria and risks to determine when to request maternity leave:
- Stay standing. Standing for more than three continuous hours has been associated with premature delivery and a slower growth rate of the fetus. The risk increases if the pregnant woman suffers from varicose veins.
- Lifting. It is very dangerous in the final stage of pregnancy, considering the pressure that this puts on the belly. In addition, an incorrect way of lifting loads can cause further damage.
- Climb stairs. This is an activity that, if it is very frequent, implies a great physical demand, which adds to the gain of abdominal weight.
Calendar of weeks and associated risks
These are some actions that should be avoided from the detailed weeks:
Week 18
- Lifting weight greater than 10 kilos, four or more times per shift.
- Bend below the knee more than ten times every hour.
Week 22
- Staying on your feet for more than four continuous hours a day.
Week 26
- Bend over two to nine times an hour.
- Climb stairs four or more times at a time.
- Lifting loads of between five and ten kilos more than four times per shift.
Week 30
- Standing intermittently for more than 30 minutes per hour.
Week 37
- Standing for less than four hours a day and less than 30 minutes an hour.
- Bend below the knee less than twice an hour.
- Climbing stairs less than four times per shift.
- Lifting loads less than five kilos less than four times per shift.
Other work factors that pose risks to pregnancy
Apart from those mentioned, other factors related to job positions are inconvenient in the middle and final stages of pregnancy. These can condition the mother’s decision to request discharge during pregnancy or not.
One of them is sitting for long periods, sitting for a long time and in the same posture negatively impacts the back, which is aggravated by the weight gained in pregnancy.
Other aspects that must be taken into account are:
Tiredness
Pregnancy must be lived with the greatest possible well-being. An excessive workload or very demanding work activity goes against that. Given this reality, the reduction or relief of tasks must be demanded, including delegating part of the work to others.
Stress
The intensity and duration of work stress is incompatible with the ideal conditions required by pregnancy. This is also influenced by the personality of the pregnant woman. Breathing and relaxation exercises are necessary in cases of high pressure and stress.
Dangerous work by nature
If the job involves handling hazardous materials or high-risk activities, your performance must be stopped for the duration of the pregnancy.
Along with all the above, if the pregnant woman suffers from any health condition, it is necessary to guarantee the conditions so that she can cope with this stage without any risk.
Asking for discharge during pregnancy should be a decision that does not affect the health of the mother and the child. It is advisable to consult with the doctor, who controls the development of the process. It must be decided responsibly and take into account the particularities of the pregnant woman and the type of work she performs.
